Editing Digital microfluidics (section)

=== Droplet merging ===
As an existing droplet can be split to form discrete droplets using electrodes (see '''[[#From an existing droplet|From an existing droplet]]'''),<ref name="Pollack_2000" /><ref name="Cho_2003" /> droplets can be merged into one droplet by electrodes as well.<ref name="Accardo_2013">{{cite journal | vauthors = Accardo A, Mecarini F, Leoncini M, Brandi F, Di Cola E, Burghammer M, Riekel C, Di Fabrizio E | display-authors = 6 | title = Fast, active droplet interaction: coalescence and reactive mixing controlled by electrowetting on a superhydrophobic surface | journal = Lab on a Chip | volume = 13 | issue = 3 | pages = 332–335 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 23224020 | doi = 10.1039/c2lc41193h }}</ref><ref name="Cho_2003" /> Utilizing the same concept applied for creating new droplets through splitting an existing droplet with electrodes, an aqueous droplet resting on an uncharged electrode can move towards a charged electrode where droplets will join and merge into one droplet.<ref name="Accardo_2013" /><ref name="Cho_2003" /> However, the merged droplet might not always form a circular shape even after the merging process is over due to surface tension.<ref name="Cho_2003" /> This problem can be solved by implementing a superhydrophobic surface between the droplets and the electrodes.<ref name="Accardo_2013" /> Oil droplets can be merged in the same way as well, but oil droplets will move towards uncharged electrodes unlike aqueous droplets.<ref name="Wang_2011">{{Cite journal| vauthors = Wang W, Jones TB |date=2011-06-23|title=Microfluidic actuation of insulating liquid droplets in a parallel-plate device|journal=Journal of Physics: Conference Series|volume=301|issue=1|pages=012057|doi=10.1088/1742-6596/301/1/012057|bibcode=2011JPhCS.301a2057W|issn=1742-6596|doi-access=free}}</ref>